David Bahn – Reflections

Light from the Word and through the lens

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In 1968 Jerry Snell opened a door in the hallway outside our first hour chemistry class. He invited me into what I discovered was a darkroom. Soon I was on the school newspaper and annual staff as a photographer. Later I learned that Jerry was a Lutheran who was planning to become a pastor. A few years later I was not only a Lutheran, but I was heading off to seminary to become a Lutheran pastor, too. Jerry followed a year later and served as a pastor in Missouri until his untimely heart attack and death. I thank God for Jerry and enjoy photography still today – not to mention rejoicing in having served as a Lutheran pastor in congregations in Utah, Colorado, Arkansas and Texas. I’ve retired now and serve part time as a Congregational Support Specialist for the Texas District of the LCMS. I also provide coaching and leadership training through various PLI cohorts and with individual congregations and organizations. David Bahn is a follower of Jesus Christ, husband to Diane, father and grandfather. He is an avid amateur photographer. His photo website is “Flowers by God Photos by David” He also publishes a devotional blog DavidBahn-Reflections.com. He and Diane live in Cypress Texas and enjoy visiting their grandchildren who live in the United States and Germany. He graduated from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1979, and earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1991. Diane, his wife, is now retired from PLI (PLIleadership.org). They have offered presentations on Marriage and Ministry Partnership, Leadership, Changing Your Congregation’s Culture, and Missional Living. They look are working with PLI International training pastors and wives of the ELVD Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania. David’s personal mission statement is “Leading people to realize Jesus’ calling and plans for their lives.”

Magnifying God

Luke 1:46-47

And Mary said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.

Small White Blossom

As a photographer I enjoy taking close up photos of flowers. My website is called “Flowers by God Photos by David.” Typically I will spend much more time working on the image after snapping the shutter than I spend actually setting up and taking the photo itself. One thing I do in the process is take a close-up look at the image and remove any imperfections that I determine need to go. In the photo above I removed about a dozen small spots from the flower’s petals; believing that they distracted from the enjoyment of the overall image. The closer you get sometimes, the more obvious the imperfections become.

Not so with God! The closer we come to God the more perfect we discover Him to be. The tighter the crop, the more we magnify His characteristics, divine attributes, and ways the more delightfully good we discover God to be.

When Mary sings her song of praise, beginning with, “My soul magnifies the Lord,” she is expressing her delight in God’s goodness and calling attention to who He is and what He has done. While scrutiny of others reveals flaws, and familiarity breeds contempt in human relationships, the closer we get to God and the more deeply we commune with Him the greater our faith in Him becomes. We discover sublime beauty, elegant grace, and profound truth in Him and His works and ways.

The baby born 2000 years ago and laid in a manger was very real: burping, crying, fussing and adding His own unique smells and sounds to the stable. But come closer to Him. Watch as He grows older, listen to Him teach, learn about his suffering, death and resurrection. You will discover a perfect Savior, a good God, and a living Lord. Magnify God and you don’t discover blemishes to be covered-over, you discover righteousness, goodness, faithfulness, mercy, and peace.

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